an historic moment today as president obama, america's first black president, paid tribute to south africa's first black president there, calling him the last great liberator of the 20th century. >> it's tempting i think to remember nelson mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, but madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait. i am not a saint, he said, unless you think i'm a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying. >> one other moment of note, president obama unexpectedly shaking hands with cuban president raul castro, america's cold war rival. castro smiled during the handshake and said a few words. the relationship between the u.s. and cuba has thawed recently. >>> stay with news 4 for the very latest developments as the world prepares to say good-bye to nelson mandela. news 4's jim vance is traveling to south africa to cover the funeral. his reports begin on thursday. >>> today's weather story isn't just in our area. check this out. amazing video into our newsroom showing a 40-car pileup caught >>> good afternoon everyone. i'm bears. >> i'm pat lawson muse. d.c. public school